Evil mum who tortured son so badly he lost both his legs will be freed from jail EARLY sparking anger from family
AN EVIL mum jailed after her baby son received horrific, life changing injuries which resulted in him losing both his legs is set to walk free from prison.
When Jody Simpson’s son Tony Hudgell, now 10, was taken to hospital aged just 41 days old doctors discovered catastrophic damage had been done to his tiny body - with his cruel parents failing to get help until it was almost too late.
His mother, now 33, and her partner Anthony Smith were convicted of causing or allowing a child to sustain an injury and neglect of their son Tony by failing to seek immediate medical attention for him and jailed in 2018 for 10 years.
She was released last February but was recalled to prison in June 2024 after breaking her strict licence conditions by having “a relationship with a convicted sex offender”.
The cruel parent was due to be automatically re-released earlier this year, but Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood stepped in – forcing Simpson to face a parole hearing on May 19.
Now, it can be revealed that she will be released imminently, with strict license conditions controlling what she does.
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Simpson will have to report any new relationships to her probation officer, get regularly drug tested and will be GPS tagged.
But, brave Tony’s adoptive mum Paula Hudgell, 57, does not think it is fair Simpson will be free, while her son has to live with the consequences of her horrific cruelty for the rest of his life.
Paula told The Sun: “We knew this was coming after being at the parole hearing and in light of what the Government is doing to ease prison crowding, so it was expected.
"The frustration for us is that she will be on license for two years and then will be able to live a happy life, whereas Tony will have life-long problems because of her and Anthony Smith’s actions.
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“We made the change with Tony’s law and now future cases are supposed to get lengthier sentences.
“But with the Government's new policy to release prisoners including child abusers and paedophiles early it sort of makes a mockery of that new sentencing power.
“We are grateful that Shabana Mahmood stepped in and blocked her from being released without a parole hearing, that meant she was in prison longer than she would have been otherwise, but it just feels wrong that she should be free while Tony has to live with the consequences of her actions for life.
“All the politicians we speak to on both sides know about Tony’s case, which I think has helped.
“They all know the story and see that despite his limitations Tony is still just a normal 10-year-old boy who just wants to do all the things normal 10-year-old boys do.
“I think that has helped our campaign, and now we just want to use that to make sure child abusers are properly punished.”
Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick said Simpson's release was reflective of a "broken" justice system.
He said: "If a mother convicted of brutal physical harm to a child can walk free following a parole board ruling, and the Justice Secretary can’t even intervene, then the system is broken.
"I have met Tony’s adopted mother, Paula, and will continue to support her campaign to make sure child abusers are properly punished."
Little Tony was a guest of honour at a Buckingham Palace garden party last month where he met Prince William.
He has been recognised for his extraordinary fundraising efforts.
In 2020, aged just 5, Tony Hudgell decided to try and raise £509 for the Evelina Children's Hospital by walking 10km on his prosthetic legs.
In total, he raised an amazing £1.8 million for the hospital which saved his life.
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “This was a horrific crime that saw Tony Hudgell mercilessly tortured by his birth parents and our thoughts remain with him and his loved ones.
“Now that the independent Parole Board has directed her release, Jody Simpson will be subject to strict supervision and licence conditions. She faces an immediate return to prison if she breaks the rules.”
A Parole Board spokesperson said: “We can confirm that a panel of the Parole Board has directed the release of Jody Simpson following an oral hearing.
"Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community.
“A panel will carefully examine a huge range of evidence, including details of the original crime, and any evidence of behaviour change, as well as explore the harm done and impact the crime has had on the victims.
“Members read and digest hundreds of pages of evidence and reports in the lead up to an oral hearing.
Tony is still just a normal 10-year-old boy who just wants to do all the things normal 10-year-old boys do
Tony’s adoptive mum Paula Hudgell
"Evidence from witnesses such as probation officers, psychiatrists and psychologists, officials supervising the offender in prison as well as victim personal statements may be given at the hearing.
"It is standard for the prisoner and witnesses to be questioned at length during the hearing which often lasts a full day or more.
“Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority."
In a previous ruling, Jeremy Roberts KC from the Parole Board recognised Tony’s immense strength.
He said: “It is a tribute to Tony’s resilience and character and to the exemplary care provided by the couple who have adopted him that he is growing up into a fine young man who, despite being unable to do many of the things which he would have liked to do, is making the best of the hand he has been dealt.
“He raised a large sum of money for the NHS during the pandemic. He has received a number of awards for his achievements (the British Empire Medal, a Pride of Britain award and the Order of the British Empire).
“He was watched by millions of people within the United Kingdom and beyond when he received the Pride of Britain Award and he was personally invested as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.
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“Tony and his adoptive parents have campaigned successfully for ‘Tony’s Law’ to increase the sentences available to judges in cases of this kind.
“The maximum sentence for causing or allowing injury to a child has now been increased from 10 years (the maximum which could be imposed in this case) to 14 years; and if the injury results in death a sentence of life imprisonment is now available.”
